Hard Work Region Finals – Greg’s Weekend Wrap-up

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What a great weekend of basketball in the Twin Cities area. As a scout/contributor, I have the pleasure of watching games, taking notes and reporting out to all of you, without any of the hard work of executing on the events. Gratitude to the host schools and all those at Prep Hoops who coordinated and ran the event. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From Friday night through Sunday afternoon, I spent most of my time with the 16u teams at Bloomington Kennedy HS. I was able to make a run to Wayzata HS to catch some 17u action on Saturday as well. If you haven't seen my notes from the first two days, please take a look when you are through reading this wrap-up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Standout Quick Hitters (Sunday)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2484370' first='Mylo' last='Albrecht'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2076033' first='Wisconsin' last='Playmakers'] 2026 North Showcase) was on fire in a Sunday matchup with Love of the Game. He tallied 29 by scoring at all levels. At 6'3", he has the height and length to finish around the hoop, while that size also comes in handy when he pulls up for a 12-foot jumper off the dribble. He hit three triples in the game I watched and demonstrated a solid handle and crisp passing skills. And it never hurts to be a left-handed shooter... which he is. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ja'coby Bearid (Milwaukee Young Bucks 16u) was one of two tallest players on the team at 6'2". This meant he was often guarding a taller player on the defensive end and, depending on matchups, moved into the post on offense. He could handle both of those tasks due to his ability to elevate over defenders to get his shot and disrupt on defense. Bearid can also play outside, often bringing the ball up or - if the matchup allows - defending on the point. He doesn't shoot it much from the outside but scored in the teens consistently in the games I watched. He has the makings to be a strong small forward on a roster with more inside presence. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Amos Ewing ([program_tooltip program_id='2075258' first='ABC' last='Young Lions']) is strong, athletic and fast. He grabbed a rebound and blew by everyone for a coast-to-coast lay-in with determination and pure speed. He is poised with the ball in his hands and directs the offense with confidence. Ewing is also quick laterally and is a ++ on-ball defender. With his strength, he can go strong to the hoop and can finish in traffic. He is also a willing passer and will use his driving ability to draw the help defender and dump off to a teammate in the post. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>More standout players to come later in this article... </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Wisconsin Winners</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>More than 170 teams participated in the Hard Work Region Finals across the three divisions of play. Forty-six of those teams traveled from Wisconsin, with sixteen in the 17u division; seventeen in the 16u division; and thirteen playing 15u. In the end, twenty-three Wisconsin-based teams left the Twin Cities area with winning records. Here they are:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>17u</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='2075258' first='ABC' last='Young Lions'] 2025 Black (3-2)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Bradley Elite 2025 (3-2)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='2485560' first='G-Elite' last=''] 2025 (4-1)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='2245199' first='Pride' last='Roc'] 17u Bell (3-2)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='2116669' first='United' last='Hoops 2025'] (3-1)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='2076023' first='Wisconsin' last='Academy'] 2025 Thompson (3-2)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='2076029' first='Wisconsin' last='Crusaders'] 2025 (3-1) *Reached quarterfinals in Championship bracket</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='2076033' first='Wisconsin' last='Playmakers'] 2025 National (3-2)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='2076033' first='Wisconsin' last='Playmakers'] 2025 UA Rise (3-1) *Reached quarterfinals in Championship bracket</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>16u</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='2075258' first='ABC' last='Young Lions'] 2026 Black (3-2)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='2075258' first='ABC' last='Young Lions'] 2026 White (3-2)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='2075260' first='ABP' last='Athletics'] 2026 (3-2)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Milwaukee Young Bucks 2026 (3-2)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='2110787' first='Wisconsin' last='26ers'] 2026 Red (3-2)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='2076023' first='Wisconsin' last='Academy'] 2026 Hibner (5-1) *Finished runner-up in Championship bracket</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='2076033' first='Wisconsin' last='Playmakers'] 2026 UA Rise (4-1)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='2500881' first='Wisconsin' last='Wizards'] 2026 (3-2)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>15u</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>920 Elite 2027 (3-2)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Ultimate Team Camps (UTC) Fire National 2027 (3-2) </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='2076023' first='Wisconsin' last='Academy'] 2027 Thies (3-2)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='2076029' first='Wisconsin' last='Crusaders'] 2027 (3-2)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='2076033' first='Wisconsin' last='Playmakers'] 2027 National (3-2)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='2076033' first='Wisconsin' last='Playmakers'] 2027 UA Rise (4-1) *Reached semifinals in Championship bracket</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Weekend Standouts</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Without centralized statistics, I reached out to team administrators and coaches to gather some top performers from throughout the weekend. I also posted an open call for statistics from Wisconsin-based teams on my X account (@GM_Hoops). This is not an all-inclusive list by any means, but these players are also deserving of recognition for their outstanding performances for their teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Scoring</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1561910' first='Peyton' last='Powers'], [program_tooltip program_id='2500881' first='Wisconsin' last='Wizards'] 2026: 20 ppg</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1890447' first='Logan' last='Becker'], [program_tooltip program_id='2110787' first='Wisconsin' last='26ers'] 2026 Red: 19.6 ppg</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2381444' first='Graeson' last='Geiger'], [program_tooltip program_id='2517147' first='Wisconsin' last='Breakaway'] 2027: 19.5 ppg</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2417898' first='Owen' last='Weisenberger'], CV Select 17u S&amp;S: 19 ppg</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2417878' first='Jace' last='Paul'], CV Select 17u Lemke: 18 ppg</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2375323' first='Blake' last='Risler'], [program_tooltip program_id='2503195' first='Diamond' last='Hoops'] 2026: 16.5 ppg</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2143926' first='Keaton' last='Wollan'], [program_tooltip program_id='2076033' first='Wisconsin' last='Playmakers'] 2027 UA Rise: 16.5 ppg</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2499892' first='Jonny' last='Cotter'], [program_tooltip program_id='2500881' first='Wisconsin' last='Wizards'] 2026: 15.8 ppg</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2371688' first='Quinn' last='Gerke'], [program_tooltip program_id='2076033' first='Wisconsin' last='Playmakers'] 2027 UA Rise: 15.3 ppg</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1481178' first='Cooper' last='Jesperson'], [program_tooltip program_id='2076033' first='Wisconsin' last='Playmakers'] 2025 UA Rise: 15 ppg</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2395592' first='Lucas' last='Glaus'], CV Select 17u Schilling: 14 ppg</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2140924' first='Graysen' last='Becker'], [program_tooltip program_id='2076033' first='Wisconsin' last='Playmakers'] 2027 UA Rise: 13.8 ppg</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2371701' first='Isaiah' last='Yuenger'], [program_tooltip program_id='2517147' first='Wisconsin' last='Breakaway'] 2027: 13.75 ppg</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1853648' first='Gavin' last='Gores'], [program_tooltip program_id='2076033' first='Wisconsin' last='Playmakers'] 2025 UA Rise: 13.5 ppg</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2390415' first='Connor' last='Raleigh'], CV Select 17u Schilling: 13 ppg</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2045262' first='Calvin' last='Anderson'], [program_tooltip program_id='2076033' first='Wisconsin' last='Playmakers'] 2026 UA Rise: 12.5 ppg</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2389718' first='Timmy' last='Meltz'], CV Select 17u Schilling: 12 ppg </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1244808' first='Brooks' last='Hinson'], [program_tooltip program_id='2076033' first='Wisconsin' last='Playmakers'] 2025 UA Rise: 12 ppg</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1561937' first='Landon' last='Michlig'], [program_tooltip program_id='2110787' first='Wisconsin' last='26ers'] 2026 Red: 12 ppg</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2406622' first='Caleb' last='Irlbeck'], [program_tooltip program_id='2503195' first='Diamond' last='Hoops'] 2026: 11.2 ppg</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1561902' first='Mason' last='Brone'], [program_tooltip program_id='2076033' first='Wisconsin' last='Playmakers'] 2026 UA Rise: 10.5 ppg</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1973149' first='Chris' last='Pohl'], [program_tooltip program_id='2076033' first='Wisconsin' last='Playmakers'] 2025 UA Rise: 10.5 ppg</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1412881' first='A.J.' last='Bender'], [program_tooltip program_id='2076033' first='Wisconsin' last='Playmakers'] 2025 UA Rise: 10 ppg</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2432828' first='Treve' last='Stoffel'], [program_tooltip program_id='2076033' first='Wisconsin' last='Playmakers'] 2026 UA Rise: 10 ppg</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Rebounding</em></strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This list is a bit shorter, as rebounding statistics are harder to come by. Regardless, here are several players who did a nice job cleaning the glass at the Hard Work Region Finals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1561937' first='Landon' last='Michlig'], [program_tooltip program_id='2110787' first='Wisconsin' last='26ers'] 2026 Red: 8.4 rpg</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2143926' first='Keaton' last='Wollan'], [program_tooltip program_id='2076033' first='Wisconsin' last='Playmakers'] 2027 UA Rise: 8.3 rpg</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2406762' first='Brandon' last='Wagner'], [program_tooltip program_id='2503195' first='Diamond' last='Hoops'] 2026: 6.5 rpg</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2371701' first='Isaiah' last='Yuenger'], [program_tooltip program_id='2517147' first='Wisconsin' last='Breakaway'] 2027: 6.3 rpg</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2426065' first='Will' last='Svendsen'], [program_tooltip program_id='2503195' first='Diamond' last='Hoops'] 2026: 5.5 rpg</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Jaxson Ladron, [program_tooltip program_id='2517147' first='Wisconsin' last='Breakaway'] 2027: 5 rpg</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->